Argentina
Indonesia
Nigeria
South Africa

Julio Cesar: Mourinho out to 'shut his critics up' and will make Roma's players feel invincible

goal.com, 23 May 2022, 08:00
The Frenchman has committed to a fresh three-year deal at Parc des Princes, rejecting a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu in the process GOAL takes a look at the biggest transfer news and rumours from the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and around the world Stay up to date with the final day of the Premier League season, and the battle for a Serie A crown, with GOAL's coverage of the biggest games

Jose Mourinho is looking to shut up his critics according to his former goalkeeper Julio Cesar, with the Roma manager on the verge of becoming the first coach to win all three European trophies.

Having already won the Champions League at both Inter and Porto, plus a Europa League title at Manchester United, the outspoken coach now has a chance to win the inaugural UEFA Conference League.

In tears after beating Leicester in the semi-final, the former Chelsea and Tottenham manager will face Feyenoord in the showpiece event in Albania.

What did Julio Cesar say about Jose Mourinho?

"We need to respect the data and it shows that he is one of the best coaches in the world still," Cesar exclusively told GOAL in an interview arranged by Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

"In the last years, people that follow football have not had a Mourinho who has lived up to their expectations after what he did in the past.

"When you don't see Mourinho win a trophy at the end of the season, the fans and people in football say negative things about him, but this season he has the opportunity to shut these people up when they talk about him.

"Jose Mourinho cries after the semi-final because he knows how important it is for the fans. After 30 years, the fans of Rome can enjoy the moment to enjoy seeing their team in a European final.

"This is a manager who won the Champions League twice with Inter and Porto and the Europa League with Manchester United.

"I know him very well and I know how much he will want to win the final. It would be amazing for him to be the only coach to have won the three European competitions. He can make history in European football."

What is Cesar's history with Mourinho?

The former Brazil No 1 played under Mourinho at Inter, where the club became the first and only Italian side to win all three trophies in a single season.

That season solidified every player and coach into the folklore of the Nerazzurri - even today, they still have a WhatsApp group entitled 'the triple' where they continue to share messages, and Cesar detailed his experience of playing for Mourinho.

"When you train under Mourinho, he takes a normal player and can make him believe he is the best player in the world," Cesar said. "He is a magician.

"When I was his goalkeeper, I thought I was the best goalkeeper in the world and I did become the best. He takes a player and makes him stronger than he is. That's Mourinho's approach to players. He is amazing and he goes inside your mind.

"I have many, many memories about him. I remember one day, I wasn't playing very well. For him to push me, to make me believe I am one of the best goalkeepers, he said you can be one of the best in the world but today you played like you are from Serie C… the third division.

"He has this way of pushing you because he believes in you, making you angry a little bit but this is his way. He also used to laugh and joke with us when we were relaxing and we have our WhatsApp group to stay in contact.

"When Mourinho goes to Milan and faces the Inter fans, him for the fans is maybe not a God but a symbol and it could be the same in Rome. Achieving this moment for the fans makes you an important figure in the club's history."

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

"Julio Cesar and Lloyd Griffith featured in Enterprise Rent-A-Car's' Mission Keeper' series ahead of the 2021/22 UEFA Europa League final. You can view episode three in full here."

Top News

14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Brazilian giants Flamengo have reportedly explored the opportunity to sign Arsenal midfielder Jorginho this month. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly entered the race for highly-rated young Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki. 14 January 2025 talksport.com Arsenal vs Tottenham is a historic and bitter rivalry but for Martin Keown, the frenzy surrounding their clashes was initially surprising. 14 January 2025 talksport.com Pep Guardiola was spotted screaming at Stefan Ortega after Manchester City surrendered a two-goal lead to draw at Brentford. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Diogo Jota equalised with his first touch as Liverpool came from behind to take home a point from a 1-1 draw with Premier League title rivals Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. 14 January 2025 talksport.com Arne Slot has been hailed after his double substitution of Diogo Jota and Kostas Tsimikas instantly paid off against Nottingham Forest. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Graham Potter marked his Premier League managerial debut with West Ham United by guiding the Hammers to a crucial 3-2 win over Fulham at the London Stadium on Tuesday night. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Brentford produced a remarkable late fightback to salvage a point in their Premier League home clash against Manchester City. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea's winless run in the Premier League has been extended to five matches after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge this evening. 14 January 2025 talksport.com Chelsea fans couldn't believe David Brooks' robust clothesline challenge on Marc Cucurella wasn't deemed violent conduct. 14 January 2025 talksport.com Andre Schurrle's career may have had its challenges, but they are nothing compared to what he is taking on in retirement 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will be under no illusions that the "spotlight is shining" on him, but there should be absolutely no talk of the Spaniard losing his job at the Emirates, according to Gunners expert Charles Watts. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea defender Renato Veiga has reportedly ruled out the possibility of a permanent departure. 14 January 2025 talksport.com Cole Palmer has become the first player since Eden Hazard to achieve 20 Premier League goal contributions in successive seasons for Chelsea. 14 January 2025 talksport.com Arsenal's starting XI could be shaping up very differently for the north London Derby as the club have been hit with an injury crisis. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk After sweeping past Real Madrid to win Sunday's Spanish Super Cup final, Barcelona will now turn their focus to Wednesday's meeting with Real Betis in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Bitter foes will renew hostilities in Wednesday's titanic Premier League North London derby, as Arsenal host Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have reportedly submitted an official offer for Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Leicester City will welcome Crystal Palace to the King Power Stadium in the Premier League on Wednesday night. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Everton and Aston Villa will meet once again in English league football's most played fixture on Wednesday night. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have confirmed that Gabriel Jesus sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in Sunday's FA Cup defeat to Manchester United. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Looking to boost their chances of avoiding fourth-tier football next season, Shrewsbury Town will welcome promotion-chasing Wrexham to The Croud Meadow on Thursday night in League One. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have not included defender Kyle Walker in their squad for tonight's Premier League clash with Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United could be without as many as six players for Thursday's Premier League clash with Southampton at Old Trafford. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Seeking to build on their positive FA Cup results last weekend, struggling Premier League duo Manchester United and Southampton square off at Old Trafford on Thursday night. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa have announced that they have completed the signing of Borussia Dortmund forward Donyell Malen. 14 January 2025 talksport.com Martin Keown couldn't escape Simon Jordan's fiery questioning as they dissected what's been a particularly tough week for Arsenal. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa have reportedly rejected a £40m bid for Jhon Duran from Premier League counterparts West Ham United. 14 January 2025 talksport.com Liam Smith dipped into his toolbox to fix a broken floodlight - then helped his teammates pull off a huge cup upset. 14 January 2025 talksport.com Arsenal have confirmed that Gabriel Jesus has injured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.